Former Premier League and Scotland midfielder Don Hutchinson has hit back at those questioning Harvey Barnes’ move to Newcastle United.
The 25-year-old is close to joining the Magpies after they agreed a £38million fee with Leicester City, who were relegated from the Premier League last season.
Barnes was on Tyneside on Thursday to visit St James’ Park and underwent his medical at the club’s newly refurbished Darsley Park training centre. Once the move is completed, Barnes will link up with his new teammates in the United States for the Premier League Summer Series.
Several outsiders have questioned why Newcastle are signing Barnes. For instance, the person interviewing Hutchinson asked “if Newcastle have got unlimited funds, why are they going for people like Harvey Barnes and not someone with a higher quality?
The former West Ham United man brilliantly defended Barnes. He replied: “Well, FFP comes into play. They have unlimited funds, but there is no point in having unlimited funds if you can’t spend.
“I think you are doing Harvey Barnes down a little bit. I think he is an unbelievable player. When Liverpool sold Sadio Mane, I was thinking ‘he could easily step up to that sort of level’, then obviously they got [Luiz] Diaz in.
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“It’s almost like people have forgotten that Newcastle are in the Champions League because he is a Champions League player. For £38million, that’s very, very cheap for such a brilliant player.”
Barnes’ arrival is set to coincide with Allan Saint-Maximin’s move to Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli. Comparing the pair’s statistics, Barnes has scored 35 goals and provided 25 in 146 Premier League games. Meanwhile, Saint-Maximin has managed fewer appearances (111) plus fewer goals (12) and assists (17).
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